How to Find an Email Address

Searching for an email address is not like looking up a phone number. While some email services publish the addresses of their clients in directory format, there is no standard or requirement to do so. Many people ask that their email addresses not be published due to the increasing amount of junk and spam mail they receive. While there is no guaranteed method of obtaining the email address you desire, there are a few techniques to employ in your quest.

Instructions

1. Search through previous email correspondence. If the person has sent you an email in the past, there is a possibility you still have their email address in your Inbox or Saved mail folders. Search your files using a keyword that includes the person's name.

2. Search your business cards to see if you have one for the person in question. People often list all of their professional contact information on their business cards.

3. Search the websites of all the organizations the person is affiliated with. Universities often have directories on their websites that list students, faculty and staff email addresses. Law firms, non-profit organizations and realtors generally do the same. Smaller companies occasionally list their staff members email addresses online. If not, try calling the company and asking for the information.

4. Search the Internet for the name of the person. If they have published anything online, participate in certain listserves or mailing groups, or are involved in professional organizations, their email address may be listed online. Google helps find publications, websites and products affiliated with the person you are searching for.

5. Search for the person's name in popular email search directories such as Yahoo! and Bigfoot.

6. If all else fails, enlist the help of a Usenet newsgroup. These are web environments where you ask for help locating someone you believe to have an email address.

Resources

• Use the Bigfoot people search.
• Try Yahoo's search directory.